Lakeside Elopement at Palace de Menthon, Annecy

The bridal portraits ran in close detail across the corset bodice, the lace ruffles, and the small bouquet of baby's breath. 1 frame in black and white caught the lace garter at the boat's edge, the lake water shimmering behind her.

Another sequence sat her on the wooden speedboat that would later carry them around the lake, vintage sunglasses on. Lace gown billowing across the seats, the Alpine mountains rising in the distance. Tyrka caught a frame mid-laugh as Madeline blew a kiss to the camera, the Selkie pannier hoop giving the gown its full rococo shape against the wooden deck.

The bouquet stayed with her through every frame: a small bunch of baby's breath, a few pink stems, the gold ring on her finger, the pearl necklace at her throat. The fashion did all the heavy lifting, the dress's vintage off-shoulder line carrying the visual register of the day. The lake and the palace turret framed everything from behind.

The couple portraits ran across three registers of the property: the palace's stone terraces, the wooden lakeside gazebo, and the speedboat on the lake itself. The first frames sat them on the open balcony above Lake Annecy, the French doors framing them, the turquoise water and Alpine peaks behind.

A long sequence followed at the curved stone balustrade terrace. Madeline's vintage ball gown train fanned across the gravel, Michael in his suit beside her, the lake holding the late-afternoon light. Tyrka shot 1 frame with the groom in the foreground watching the bride at the balustrade, her gown billowing in the breeze, the contrast pulled in black and white.

The closing sequence stepped out to the wooden pavilion at the edge of Lake Annecy. Madeline and Michael stood silhouetted inside the gazebo, the turquoise water and Alpine peaks beyond, evening light catching the lace of the gown. From the gazebo they walked back to the boat where the sunset cruise closed the day.

Palace de Menthon sits on the shores of Lake Annecy, a Belle Epoque hotel and chateau with a conical-roofed turret, sweeping stone staircase, and balustrade terraces that overhang the water. The lake itself does most of the visual work: turquoise lake water in the foreground, snow-capped Alpine peaks behind, the palace's pale stone facade rising between them.

The wooden lakeside pavilion is the property's natural ceremony spot. It sits at the water's edge, open on all sides, a wooden frame that creates a built picture-window onto Lake Annecy. For Madeline and Michael's couple-only elopement, no setup was needed. They stood inside the pavilion, exchanged vows, and walked back up the staircase to the palace.

For couples drawn to this kind of lakeside-chateau intimacy, browse the wider edit of chateau wedding venues across France. lake and mountain venues of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, or see more real wedding inspiration from French chateaux across the country.